Clamping Square

This clamping square was created as a lower cost alternative to the Woodpeckers clamping squares + CSP clamps and their multiple clones.

This design makes some tradeoffs:

• It can only be used/clamped on the inside of a joint and therefore cannot be used to line up butt joints.
• Both the square and the clamps are bulkier and harder to manipulate.
• Lower precision. Initially it is entirely dependent on the squareness of cut, but wood is more likely to change over time than aluminum.
• Squeeze-out may bond to the surface of the square if some countermeasures are not added (like packing tape).

Supplies

Materials

• Scrap material about 3/4" thick and enough for a >192mm square.
• 2x Bessey TK-6 clamps.

Tools

• Saw
• Drill
• Sandpaper

Step 1: Cut a Square

Cut a square with roughly 192mm sides as precisely as possible.

Step 2: Split the Square

Pick two opposing corners and connect with a line.

Step 3: Notch the Square

Cut off the same two opposing corners 23mm deep and perpendicular to the line.

Step 4: Split the Square

Cut the along the line centering it on the kerf.

Step 5: Mark the Holes

Mark a line parallel to each face 16mm from the face. Then, measure and mark each hole position every 32mm referencing the faces.

Step 6: Drill & Chamfer

Drill and chamfer 3/8" holes as perpendicular as possible. Also sand the corner between the two reference faces for glue clearance.

Step 7: (optional) Packing Tape

Add some clear plastic packing tape to the reference surfaces to avoid gluing the square to your work.